2 soldiers slain, 5 wounded in Lanao del Sur ambush

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — Two soldiers were killed and five others wounded in an ambush in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday.

First Lt. Mark Linne Banua and Sgt. Jhanjihan Carumba of the 55th Infantry Battalion were reportedly shot dead by Cpl. Nao Mohammad Lassam in Barangay Baraingud.

Pfc. Nilo Rubiato, T/Sgt. Randy Esmade and Pvts. Roger Amihan, Therenz John Francisco and Jovanie Calaguian were wounded. They remained confined in a hospital yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command chief, ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

“I am still awaiting a complete narrative,” Sobejana said.

Initial reports showed Banua was leading an Army team to conduct combat operations against the suspects in the killing of M/Sgt. Amen Lucman Macalangan, acting police chief of Binidayan town, and his companion Ramel Pangcatan in Barangay Bandaraingod on Monday when they were  shot.

“They coordinated with the CAFGU (Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit) in the area headed by Lasam to ask militiamen to act as their guide to the ambush site. Before the group reached the area, Lasam fired at Lt. Banua’s team,” Sobejana said.

The commander of the First Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gearlan Jr., was ordered to investigate the incident and submit a report at the soonest possible time.

“Cpl. Lasam was disarmed a few days ago because of misbehavior. Why was he not arrested... and investigated. Why was he allowed to return to his detachment. All these things, I want to know before I can issue an official announcement,“ Sobejana said.

A manhunt for Lasam is underway.